"Penelope is an athlete who exceeds in all that she does. Her hard work reflects not only with our cheer program, but her job, family life, and with class work. On the mat/sidelines, you can find Penelope always making her teammates smile and passing along words of encouragement/motivation! She is one of a kind and the Bulldog cheer team is so lucky to have her!" - Courtney Whatley, Cheer Coach

Student Name

Penelope Valdez

School

University High School

Grade Level

Senior

Sports

Cheerleading

Positions

Base (Main & Side)

Stats

3rd Place at State 2024

"The biggest achievement I'm most proud of is hitting zero on the state mat my first year in the program. I worked extra for the perfect counts and motions, plus my stunt group executed every stunt with no fail. Hitting zero means no failing stunts and perfect timing and motions. Hitting that is my biggest achievement."

What's one goal you're currently working towards in your sport?

"I'm currently working to get my back walkover and hitting a low to high switch up with my stunt group."

Describe your worst sports performance. What did you learn from this experience? 

"During my first year when we performed in Patriot League, I was super nervous and kept to myself, the timing for jumps was a bit off and our stunt didn't hit on my end. I learned that my sport involves everyone and communication. I needed to talk to my team so we could have lifted our spirits up and so that we could communicate on what we needed to fix to hit."

Who are your role models in your sport or life, and how have they influenced you? 

"My mom was a cheerleader when she was in high school as well and also coached a little bit of cheer a couple of years ago. She always talked about her friends, community, and how fun it was. I wanted that teamwork, friendship, and something to feel good about. She pushed me into the cheer world, and from then on, I loved to watch the girls she coached. I grew up seeing the team and how much they worked together and how they formed a friendship with one another. They formed my love to perform, and I just continued on to my high school career." 

How do you balance sports with other responsibilities like school or work?

"I work from Saturday to Monday, and I have school Tuesday to Friday. Since cheer is a year long sport, I also have cheer the days I have school. I balance it by making school my main priority. I attend all my classes, and after school, I go right back to homework. I attend cheer in the evening around 5, so then after practice I am back to homework. This allows me to work on everything ahead of time and make sure I'm still doing good in school. Weekends, I only work 6-7 hours either in the morning or at night. This lets me use the remaining time after work or before to either study, finish any work I might have missed, and go over routines."

What are your career or college plans after you graduate high school? 

"I plan to graduate from University and apply to go to my dream college for journalism and literature - NYU. I also want to try out for a cheer team in Colorado for maybe a year to see what my possibilities are. I love to explore and see what sticks to me. So, my possibilities are endless." 

What advice do you have for younger athletes who want to join your sport?

"Do it! The team builds new friendship you may have never expected, and raising spirits during games is the best feeling. It is hard work and dedication since it's a year long, but seeing the lights, crowds, and hitting zero during a routine makes it fun and worth it." 

Do you have any funny pre-game rituals or superstitions that you stick to?

"My sister and I cheer together, so before any comp we do our handshake we've always had. I also do a handshake with my main base Des before any stunts in comp."

If you were to participate in a talent show unrelated to your sport, what would your act be?

"I know how to play the clarinet and flute so playing a son on either or both would be my talent."